Feeling good and looking stylish may seem impossible as you peruse your closet for the right combination to wear on that unpredictable autumn day. Fortunately, layering adds flexibility to your wardrobe while keeping you comfortable, even when you feel the heat. Thanks to area designers, dressing in layers can be both fashionable and functional. Add a scarf or poncho as you head out, something that can be easily removed as the day progresses.
This story originally appeared in the September issue of Living Intown magazine.
Beehive Hair Company
“Here in the South, so many people are ditching heavy coats, except for the very coldest days, and layering with scarves, cowls and wraps,” says Beth Liversidge, designer and owner of Beehive Hair Company.
Liversidge specializes in creating crocheted items in bulky yarns adaptable for a wide range of weather conditions. “Cowls, for instance, can be worn around your neck or pulled over your head to keep you warm,” she says. “Because people today want more versatility in their clothes, I design one-of-a-kind pieces that can be worn several ways.”
This fall’s color palettes tend toward neutrals, and many designers are creating accessories and separates in earthy tones of squash yellows, sage greens and rich coffees. Patterns and textured fabrics are also popular. By layering ponchos, scarves or jackets over true neutrals, you can switch your look from casual to dressy by varying how you wear the accessory or by adding different jewelry.
The Beehive. 1250 Caroline St., Suite C120. 404-633-4500. www.beehivehairco.com
Maelu Designs
Maelu Designs’ hand-block printed cotton textiles are ideal for achieving both style and warmth. Designer Meghna Davé crafts soft infinity scarves and lightweight kimonos that can be layered over T-shirts or tanks and worn with jeans or skirts. Davé works with families in India who hand-block print yards of cotton using natural dyes that become the foundation of her work, donating a portion of sales back to the Indian community.
“Cotton is such a wonderful transition fabric because it’s soft and durable,” Davé says. “In Atlanta’s weather, with sometimes unpredictable temperature fluctuations during a day, being able to layer gives you more flexibility for keeping warm without being committed to heavier clothes for the full day. Start out using a patterned scarf as a head wrap, then drape it across your shoulders as the weather warms during the day.”
The Beehive. 1250 Caroline St., Suite C120. 678-519-8887. www.maeludesigns.com
Felted Heart
Wool and cashmere are sometimes overlooked during the transition from late summer to fall and into winter, but Mary Sweeney of Felted Heart has found a new way to bring these typical winter fabrics into fall. By felting reclaimed sweaters, she has created a full line of ponchos, sweaters and scarves that are both warm and fashionable. One of Felted Heart’s signature items is a leaf scarf, made with layers of hand-cut felt leaves.
“Felted woolens can be made into completely new garments by patching sections together, or the pieces can be used as embellishments or appliqués,” Sweeney says.
People who don’t like the way typical wool itches often prefer cashmere, which seems more breathable. “Cashmere is one of my favorites because it is thicker, softer and doesn’t pill as much as wool,” Sweeney says. “Older cashmere is a real find because it’s better quality and can be repurposed as scarves or tunics.”
Sweeney also makes “woolly warmers,” fingerless gloves that cover your hands and arms up to your elbows. “Woolly warmers are perfect for layering days because you can pull them on in the morning to keep your hands and arms warm, then stash them in your purse as the temperature warms up,” Sweeney says. “Plus, with your fingertips exposed, you can still use your touchscreen devices without taking your warmers off.”
Felted Heart, Crafted Westside, 1000 Marietta St., Suite 102. 678-559-4977. www.feltedheart.com
SarahLou Designs
Sarah Scott has coined the word “re-invintage” to describe her creations for SarahLou Designs. Finding gently used clothing, such as sweaters or jackets, she cuts them up, restitches them, and adds trim and embellishments to turn a plain jacket into a pretty piece of outerwear. She may add a peplum or a scarf collar to a jacket to give it new life and enhance its function.
“Some people always seem to be cold in the fall, whether they’re outdoors or inside, while others only need an extra layer in the mornings,” Scott says. “I’m one of those people who stays on the cold side, so I find that lightweight jackets with an element of flexibility work well.”
To deal with the fall’s fluctuating thermometer, Scott suggests choosing clothing pieces that can be refunctioned during the day, such as a scarf as a neckwrap that can be loosely draped over the shoulders. “The idea is to keep your look simple,” she says. “You can be bold, but you need to also be comfortable.”
The Beehive. 1250 Caroline St., Suite C120. 678-429-6292. sarahloudesigns.com
